REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY DR. ERNEST BAI KOROMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE, ON THE host_president OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS BY AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALI TO SIERRA LEONE ON MONDAY 12TH APRIL 2010

Your Excellency Mr. Ambassador,

I am delighted to accept the Letter of Credence by which my brother, the President of the Republic of Mali, His Excellency Amadu Toumani Toure, has accredited you as Ambassador Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Mali to the Republic of Sierra Leone. I also wish to accept the letter of recall of your predecessor.

Mr. Ambassador,

The peoples of the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Sierra Leone share many historical and cultural ties. Many of the ethnic groups and surnames in Mali are also found in Sierra Leone. It is gratifying to note that we are strengthening these ties of kinship and friendship. I am confident that your tenure will build upon our common bonds.

Mr. Ambassador,

I am pleased to inform you that the Malian nationals residing in this country are law abiding and always stand ready to complement Government's efforts in its development strides. Let me assure you, Mr. Ambassador, that my Government and the people of this country will always ensure that our Malian brothers and sisters enjoy the hospitality of our common bonds.

Mr. Ambassador,

We deeply appreciate the contributions your country made to the stability and security of our nation. As a member of both ECOWAS and the AU, you lived up to the cardinal obligations enshrined in the charters of these organizations.

Mr. Ambassador,

I want to assure you, the Government and the people of Mali of my Government's commitment to strengthening the goodwill and friendship that have characterized our relations. We will continue to strengthen this friendship through bi-lateral cooperation as well as through ECOWAS and the AU. Our countries face many common challenges. Overcoming these challenges warrant continued our cooperation.

Quite recently, the 26th ECOWAS Chiefs of Defense Staff Conference was held in Freetown from 9-11 December, 2009. The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering and Territorial Financing in West Africa Conference was also held in Freetown from 1-5 November, 2009. These are all indications of our continued engagement through our common organizations to confront the challenges we face as West African countries. We should not relent in designing and implementing joint strategies to meet our common challenges.

Mr. Ambassador,

I deeply appreciate the warm sentiments and fraternal greetings you have transmitted to me, my Government and people from your revered Head of State and the Government of the Republic of Mali. May I reciprocate by requesting you to extend to my brother and colleague my very best wishes for his personal well-being and happiness, as well as the continued prosperity of the friendly people of the Republic of Mali.

Once more, I congratulate you on your appointment. I hope you will find your accreditation to the Republic of Sierra Leone a rewarding experience.